The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 33 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Three mechanized boats, reportedly of high value, were also seized. The arrested fishermen hail from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and were detained in the early hours of Sunday, January 26, according to Tamil Nadu Coastal Police authorities, as reported by IANS.
This incident is the latest in a series of arrests that have raised concerns about the safety and livelihood of Tamil Nadu's fishing community. The Tamil Nadu fisheries department reported that over 400 boats from Rameswaram ventured into the sea on Saturday, reported The New Indian Express, underscoring the region's heavy dependence on fishing for sustenance.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been vocal about the issue urging immediate diplomatic intervention. In a letter to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier this month, CM Stalin highlighted the hardships faced by Tamil Nadu's fishing communities due to frequent arrests.
“The recurring arrests have caused significant economic hardship and undermined the traditional livelihood of our fishermen. It is imperative to take swift action to ensure their release, along with their seized boats,” CM Stalin wrote, as per the agency report.
So far in 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 52 Indian fishermen and seized six boats for alleged IMBL violations. Reports indicate that since June 16, 2024, a total of 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been detained, and 58 boats have been seized. Many of these fishermen remain in Sri Lankan jails, fueling protests across Tamil Nadu.
Fishermen’s associations across the state have strongly condemned the arrests, calling for urgent intervention by the Indian government. They argue that the arrests not only disrupt livelihoods but also instill fear and uncertainty within the fishing communities.
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